Blood test, calcium
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $15
- Cash Discount Price: $28
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.91x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $5.16 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 291% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 191%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $15 | 291% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Norton County Hospital, the cash price of $28.00 is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $40.00 and the Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiated rate of $15.00. While the cash price is higher than the state average for this service, it remains a significant discount compared to the hospital's full list price. If you have a high-deductible plan or have not yet met your deductible, paying the cash price of $28.00 upfront could save you money compared to having your insurance pay the negotiated rate of $15.00, as you would avoid any potential out-of-pocket costs associated with your deductible or coinsurance.
To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting an itemized bill to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Additionally, if you are self-pay, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final amount by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Norton, KS, with government-local ownership, you should also confirm whether the $15.00 negotiated rate applies to your specific plan or if the cash price is the most economical option for your situation.